OverviewLocated along Highway 25 and a 5-minute walk from the 169th St. subway entrance, the Ramada Inn Jamaica/Queens New York City is popular with business and vacation travellers who require a well-priced hotel with a free breakfast and easy access to the highway and subway.
This non-smoking hotel has 64 air-conditioned guest rooms and suites, each offering two queen beds or one king bed, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a mini-fridge, a desk, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. Rooms with a jetted tub are also available and the hotel is wheelchair accessible.
Hotel amenities include a fitness centre, meeting/banquet facilities, a business centre, limited free parking and a free continental breakfast. Fee-based parking is available at a lot across the street. Pets are not permitted.
Sagar Restaurant is about a 4-minute walk along Hillside Avenue, while Hillside Plaza is a 5-minute drive westward. Times Square is a 25-minute drive northwest and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a 12-minute drive north.
(All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps).
Verified with a front desk agent: Free Wi-Fi, limited free parking, pets not permitted, wheelchair accessible. (Call Date: August 22, 2013)
The GoodThe majority of the reviews sourced for this analysis were positive, with praise going to the hotel's rooms, location and rates.
Many guests enjoyed the hotel's accommodations. They described their rooms as clean, well equipped and nicely decorated, with comfortable beds and linens and good water pressure.
Numerous reviewers praised the hotel's location. They found it close to public transit, JFK Airport, restaurants, shopping, a grocery store and access to Manhattan. A few guests had complaints about the hotel's location, however (see below).
The hotel's rates were the source of several compliments by lodgers, who described them as fair, cheap, great and budget friendly. One patron noted, "Since the subway is nearby, it is a great value if you need to go to Manhattan for business or pleasure".
The Bad
While the majority of reviews consulted for this analysis were positive, there were some common complaints about the the parking, the location and the breakfast.
Some guests were disappointed with the hotel's parking. They reported only limited on-site spots were available, and that they had to find parking on the street or at a lot a couple blocks away from the hotel.
Although the majority of reviewers were pleased with the hotel's proximity to public transit and shopping, a few guests had complaints about the hotel's location. These guests felt the hotel's surrounding area was unsafe at night, and recommended not walking around unaccompanied.
A few patrons had complaints about the hotel's breakfast. They described it as limited, basic and average, and reported that items were not replenished in a timely matter.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviews ranked the hotel #16 of 24 Jamaica hotels with an average rating of 3 out of 5 from 237 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviews rated the hotel 3.6 out of 5 with a 78% recommendation rate from 330 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews rated the hotel 6.5 out of 10 from 175 reviews.
The author called the hotel on August 22, 2013 to verify some information.
